Tacker



Feb. 2, 1943. s. A. CROSBY TACKER Filed July 22, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 wZ4 6 I 47 5 ATTORN EY Feb. 2, 1943. s. A. 'cRosBY TACKER Filed July22,1939 3 Sheets-Sheet-Z ATTORNEY.

Fb. 2, 1943. s, A, CROSBY I 2,309,628

TACKER Filed July 22, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR 7,

ATTORN EY Patented Feb. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TACKERApplication July 22, 1939, Serial No. 286,006 20 Claims. (01. 1-'-49)The present invention is concerned with stapling machines and moreparticularly is directed to an improved but relatively light weight andstabilized staple tacker. The objects, advantages, and functional andstructural aspects of the invention will be better understood from theteachings of the following detailed description considered in the lightof the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the tacker according to my inventionshowing the cover for the magazine closed and the handle for actuatingthe staple ejecting driver in its normally raised position.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the tacker, however illustrating the coverswung to a position to open the staple magazine.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 1, illustrating thedriver or rain in its normally depressed position. 7

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 3 however illustrating the positionof the driver approximately at the completion of its upward stroke afterit has been raised upon depressing of the manipulatable handle.

Fig 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the driver movingdownwardly to complete its return stroke.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on theline 5 -4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 'l'! of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line 93 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1 partly broken away andpartly in section, illustrating the manner in which thelatch may beunlocked to permit the cover to be swung rearwardly relative to thebase.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the staple ejecting driver or ram.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the laminated shock absorbing head forthe driver to prevent recoil of the frame of the tacker.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the locking latch for the magazine, and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the handle showing the ram actuatingpawl pivoted at the front end thereof.

The tacker generally denoted T embodies a staple magazine H1 in the formof a one piece metal rectangularly shaped box having bottom wall H,upstanding sides l2, back wall [3, and front wall I4. 5 I

Fixed within the magazine is the elongated inverted U-shaped rail l 5which slidably supports a staple strip l6 having legs I! slidably guidedI between the elongated gaps l8 defined by the depending sides l9 of therail and the upstanding sides l2 of the magazine.

It should .be observed however that the forward end (Fig. 10) of therail I5 and the up standing front wall I4 of the magazine characterize astaple driveway or slot 2| to allow the foremost staple of the staplestrip to be driven out by the blade 22 of a reciprocable driver or rambroadly denoted 23. I

For urging the foremost staple of the staple strip to be in alinementwith the driveway, a spring actuated follower 24 is provided.

This follower (Fig. 8) is of inverted U-shape and is slidably'guided ingaps l8 and is provided with inwardly turned lugs 25 (Figs. 5 and 8)slidably guided in gaps 26 in the sides of the rail.

Thus the follower is slidably interlocked with the rail and for urgingthe follower forwardly a looped helicoidal spring 21 is utilized.

Spring 21 ha its intermediate portion trained over the grooved bearingor roller 28 rotatably mounted on the stud or pintle 29 fixedly carriedby the spaced arms 30 of the magazine rockable or pivotal latchgenerally designated 3| having the latch stop or bridge 32interconnecting the arms 30 which extend .rearwardly and are brought inclose and fixed juxtaposition to define a tail or manipulating portion33.

Latch 3| inefiect may be said to characterize a bell crank lever havingthe alined elbow por tions thereof pivotally or rotatably mounted on thefixed rivet pin 34 passing through the spaced sides 35 of the hollowcase 36 and the spaced sides 37, of the hollow sheath broadly denoted38, the sheath together with its secured case constituting the cover forthe magazine which cover is hinged on the fulcrum pin 39 carried by thesides l2 of the magazine. Stated in another way, ears 4!] of the spacedrear portions 4| of the spaced sides 35 of the case 36 are rotatablysustained by the fulcrum pin 39 of the magazine.

Returning however to the helicoidal spring 21, the upper reach 42thereof has its rear end 43 (Fig. 3) appropriately hooked to the fixedlug 44 carried at the rear of the case while the rear end 45 of itslower. reach 45 (Figs. 3 and 8) is connected to hook 4'! extendingupwardly from the slidable interlocked staple follower 24.

With the cover closed, the free ends of the pintle 29 on which roller 28is mounted extend through the relatively large openings 48 (Fig. 2) inthe spaced sides 35 of the case 38. These free ends of pintle 29 areadapted to be received by alined gaps 48 in the spac'ed sides 3'! ofsheath 38 and are adapted to interlock with the Walls of the alined gaps49 (Fig. 1) in the spaced wings 50 extending from the spaced sides I2 ofthe magazine. The normal action of the coiled spring 27 is such as tomaintain the free ends of the pintle 29 in the alined gaps 49 when thecover is closed.

The other function of the helicoidal spring 21 is to normally urge thefollower 24 forwardly in the closed relation of the cover and rearwardlyaway from the staple strip when the cover is opened.

If therefore the cover is closed and locked the foremost staple isacross the raceway or driveway 2| at which time pintle 29 is withinslots 49 and the tail portion 33 of latch 3I of course is in its raisedposition.

Fixedly associated between the sides 31 of the sheath or shell 38 is thelaminated sheet metal core or relatively heavy mass which consists oftwo end plates 52 held against the outer plates or laminations 53 of thelaminated core or body 5I which embodies recess 53' for locating andreceiving the upper end 55 of helicoidal power spring 58 having itsmajor portion confined in bore or well 5'! of the relatively rectangularshaped body 53 of the ram or driver 23 to which the upper end of blade22 is fastened.

However for positively securing the core or head 5| to the sheath, thecore is appropriately located in respect to the case 36 for the purposeof alining end guide faces 62 of the sides 35 of the case with thetransverse alined faces 6!] of the laminations. Thus end plates 52 ofthe core are provided with lugs 52 which are received by correspondinglyshaped recesses 53' in the spaced sides 35 of the case. Consequently thecore is properly positioned relative to the case independent of thesheath or any anchoring means.

Pursuant to the positioning of the core in respect to the case and tothe sheath, rivets 59 are utilized to fasten the laminated core or headto the sides 37 of the sheath and the latter in overlapped relationagainst the case. transverse faces 69 of the alined laminations of thecore are positively held and constitute cooperative means to slidablyguide the rear face SI of the driver 23 which is also guided by thefront faces 62 of the sides 35 of the case 36 and by the front wall 63and side walls 31 of the sheath 38 which has its lower faces 84 (Figs. 2and 7) extending above the lower margins 55 of the spaced sides 35 ofthe case.

Margins B5 on the side walls 35 cooperate to prevent upward displacementof the staple strip I 8 when the cover is closed and locked and insuchrelation the sides 35 of the case may be said to closely but movablytelescope with the sides I2 of the magazine at which time lug 55depending from the front wall 53 of the sheath is positioned within thelocating notch 31 in the front wall I4 of the magazine. By thisarrangement, the case and sheathare always in proper operative alinementwith the magazine when the latter is closed at which time faces 54 (Fig.7) of the sides 31 of the sheath rest on the upper stop surfaces 54' ofthe sides I2 of magazine. These stop faces 84 limit downward pivotaldisplacement of the cover.

Thus the Slidably guided in opening 68 of the bottom wall 69 of thedriver or ram 23 is the cylindrical shank ID of spring controlledplunger I9 having an enlarged head '|'I slidably disposed in bore 5! andadapted to be limited in its downward travel by the bottom wall 69 ofcourse after the relatively heavy stiff spring I2 has released itsenergy. This stiff spring "I2 however has its lower end seated on headII and has its upper end held under the retaining bar 13 which isfixedly driven through and anchored to the ram body 58 and which alsoconstitutes a seat for the power spring 56.

In the retracted relation of the driver 23 (Fig. 3') shank I0 of thespring controlled plunger 10 has its lower face urged against the fixedtransverse abutment bar I4 held anchored in the spaced sides 31 of thesheath 38 the sides 31 of which are resisted from spreading outwardly bythe upset rivet I5 which also bridges the forward ends 18 of the casesides which are resisted from spreading inwardly by the sleeve I5mounted on rivet I5.

The forward ends I6 of sides 35 of the case have transverse faces TIdefining with the inner surface 78 of the front wall 63 of the sheath asuitable gap which slidably guides the staple ejecting blade 22 of thedriver 23 and shoulders 11' (Figs. 5 and 9) extending above the ends 16of the case 35 closely and fixedly interlock with lugs 18' of abutmentblock I4 anchored in the sides of the sheath to prevent accidentalshifting thereof transversely of the cover.

For elevating the driver, a pivoted pawl 88 is employed. This pawl is aU-shaped member having its sides 8| (Fig. 14) rotatably mounted on pin82 fixedly carried by the spaced sides 83 of the channeled shaped handle84 pivoted on the fixed rivet pin 85 retained by the spaced sides 35 ofthe case and the spaced sides 31 of the sheath. This rivet pin 85 alsoprevents spreading of the sides of the sheath away from the sides of thecase.

The plunger lifting pawl 88 is normally urged outwardly orcounter-clockwise by a coiled spring 81 and particularly by the free arm83 thereof while the other end 39 (Fig. 3) of spring 31 is fixedlyanchored to a lug 90 struck out of a side 83 of the handle 84. Howevercounter-clockwise movement of the pawl is limited since the outwardlyextending lugs 9| of the sides 8I thereof strike the stop faces 92 ofthe sides 83 of the handle 84.

Normally handle 84 is in its raised position shown in Fig. 3 and isbrought automatically to such position by the free upper arm 93 of aspring 94 having its intermediate portion coiled about hinge pin 85.However its lower arm 98 is fixed to one of the elliptical shaped rims9'! fastened by rivets 93 to the spaced sides 35 of the case 33.

The rear face 99 of the laminated core 5| constitutes stop means for theapron I of the handle 84 to limit upward displacement thereof in whichinstant nose of the tiltable pawl 80 (Fig. 3) is within recess I ill andbelow shoulder I92 defined thereby.

Where it is desired to tack a piece of material which may be paper,cardboard, and/or cloth to a body which may be of wood or the like, thetacker while in its closed relation, is placed against the material tobe tacked into the body, for example, the bottom wall II of the magazineis first properly located on the material. This may be accomplished bythe operator using one of his hands only, that is, the operator appliesthe under surface of this hand against handle 84 and in such a way thatthe fingers of this hand project through an elongated opening I04 of thefixed rims 91 of the case 36 below the upper curved back II!) of thecase, however without causing handle 84 to be depressed until themagazine is properly positioned on the material at which time thishandle is depressed and the sides of the latter abut the inclined stopfaces III of the core 5|.

It follows that nose 86 of the pawl 8I moves upwardly in recess IIII ofthe driver 23 and ultimately strikes shoulder I02 thereof. Hence thedriver is elevated, compressing the relatively heavy duty power spring56 until nose 86 clears or trips shoulder I02 in which event spring 56starts to release, expand, or recoil, thus urging the driver to retractautomatically whereupon plunger I0, that is, its shank I0 on the returnor down stroke of the driver appreciably impacts the fixed abutmentplate I4 carried by, the sides 31 of the sheath 38. Or in other words,the power spring 56 after the pawl is tripped operates to accelerate thedriver on its downward stroke and upon completion of this return stroke,the driver has accumulated appreciable momentum. However on thecompletion of the down stroke, the impact of the plunger 10 of thedriver or ram is instantaneous against the abutment plate 14. Thisaction causes the relative stiif shock absorbing spring 12 to becomecompressed to cushion and absorb the impact of plunger '16 against theabutment I4. Thus the stiff spring I2 causes the ram or driver todecelerate.

The shock absorbing spring I2 is appreciably stiffer than the powerspring 56. The expression stifi is herein used advisedly to denote thata relatively large load is required to cause a relatively smalldeflection thereof. Or stated in another way, the power spring isappreciably less in stiffness than the decelerating or shock absorbingspring I4 in that, for example, the momentum produced in the ram by thepower spring in undergoing a linear deflection of three quarters of aninch is negatived by the shock absorbing spring in undergoing adeflection to the order of one sixteenth of an inch in instances wherethe driver is idling, to wit;-operated when the magazine is without anystaples. However where a staple is driven out of the tacker by blade 22into the material and body to be tacked together, in such cases whilethe power spring deflects substantially to the order of three quartersof an inch, the shock absorbing spring is deflected to the order of afew thousandths of an inch only since the material into which the stapleis driven absorbs most of the momentum imparted to the ram by the powerspring.

Thus it is appreciated that the sheath 38 is prevented from fracture inthat the impact applied by the plunger III to abutment I4 is absorbed bythe shock absorbing spring, that is to say, the plunger of the ram neverstrikes the sheath directly although the latter is slightly stressed.

Where the driver is operated to eject a staple for tacking in the caseof tackers of the prior art and prior to the herein disclosed inventionthese in practice generally rebound or recoil, thus materially reducingthe effector intensity of the desired blow or impact. Because of thisdeficiency it has been discovered that if an appreciable mass be appliedto the head of the tacker above the driver such recoil action of theframe of the tacker is absorbed or stabilized and to accomplish thispurpose there is provided the laminated mass 5| which is concentrated inits most effective position, namely, over the driver to absorb orstabilize the recoil of the hollow frame which according to theinvention comprises'the magazine, sheath, and case of the tacker. Bysuch action, a desirable and uninterrupted but effective hard blow iscapable of being administered in the matter of driving a staple out ofthe tacker and into the material and body to be tacked together. Thus itis apparent that where a relatively great, concentrated or localizedmass is positioned over the driver the recoil of the frame of the tackeris partially neutralized, and therefore relatively less mass is requiredfor the remaining parts of the tacker and consequently the latteraccording to the invention merely comprises relatively light weighthollow members, for example, the cover, and the magazine employed aremerely of sheet metal stamped into channeled shaped forms, the sheathmerely taking the incidental internal stresses following driver impacts.

By reason of the fact that the frame of the tacker is hollow throughoutandonly a concentrated mass is positioned above the driver, the weightof the tacker herein disclosed is appreciably light. Therefore in actualpractice the tacker according to the invention reduces fatigue in thematter of operating and thus may be readily handled with a maximum ofease and convenience. Since also the internal stresses are merelytransmitted to the sheath, the remaining parts of the,cover and themagazine are not stressed, thus preventing these parts of the frame fromgetting out of relative alinement, thus precluding accidental bucklingor breakage thereof, salient characteristics and advantages resulting byreason of the relatively heavy shock absorbing mass 5| over the driverwhich mass is relatively greater than the mass of the driver.

Pursuant to the deceleration of the driver, handle 84 is released by theoperator and consequently it rises automatically clue to the action ofthe spring arm 93. The nose 86 of th pawl 89 however at this timeyieldingly bears against rear face M of the driver 23 and ultimatelybecomes arranged within recess It! at which time lugs 9| are against thestop faces 92 of the sides of the handle.

Where access is desired to the rail, the operator merely depressesmanipulator 33 causing latch 35 to be tilted, thus removing the freeends of the pintle or stud 29 from notches 49 cf the wings 50 of thesides I2 of the magazine. There after the cover of the tackercharacterized by the case and sheath thereof may be swung rearwardly(Fig. 2) and access is had to the staple rail. To close the cover, thelatter is swung downwardly against the magazine whereby the free ends ofpintle 29 strike cam surface 5c of the wings 50 until reaching notches49 at which time spring 21 automatically shifts the roller 28 rearwardlyand therefore the free ends of the pintle become interlocked with thewalls of notches 49. The tacker is now in its normal relation and isready for use.

Thus it is apparent that a relatively light weight tacker is providedwherein stabilizing means over the driver is utilized to absorb framerecoil and wherein the deceleration of the driver is controlled by areciprocable shock absorbing plunger cushioned by a relatively stiffspring'in axial alinement with a lighter power spring. These functionaland structural feature consti tute the objects and advantages of theinvention in the matter of providing a relatively light weight tackeradapted to be conveniently operated and controlled. As a further aspectof the invention, the tacker herein specifically set out may be idlyoperated when empty of staples without causing fracture of the frameeven though an internal impact is administered by the plunger of the ramto the abutment block it at the time the tacker is empty or even whenstaples are driven through soft or fluffy material. These and otheradvantages are inherent in the herein disclosed tacker.

Furthermore it should be realized that with the tacker according to theinvention, the frame thereof is of relatively thin sheet metal stock sothat the overall width of the machine is only slightly greater than thewidth of the staple strip hence permitting the tacker to be placed innarrow and ordinarily inaccessible corners and also permitting staplesto be driven. therefrom even though the tacker be disposed contiguous toa wall of a corner. This also constitutes an im portant object of theinvention.

Another important object is realized in the provision of a relativelylight weight but stabilized staple tacker embodying my well knownSwingline principles which inter alia embody automatic staple followeraction in the matter of closing and opening of the cover and completeinside accessibility to the staples in the raceway and magazine at atime when the cover is swung rearwardly of the magazine at which timethe latter may be conveniently loaded with staples even though theoperator is in awkward positions, for such as on a step ladder, scaifoldor the like. For reasons expounded in the foregoing detailed andcomplete disclosure, the successfully operating and most serviceabletacker according to the invention is now ofiered to the existing andcontemporary stapling art.

While the principles of the invention have been shown and described inconnection with several preferred embodiments thereof, the functionaland structural features of which have also been disclosed in detail itis to be understood that this has been done for purpose of illustrationand disclosure only in that the invention is not limited thereby but issusceptible to various changes in form and details of its scope.

I claim:

1. In combination, a magazine, a rail within the magazine for supportingstaples, a cover for closing said magazine, a movable staple ejectingdriver guided by said cover, a plunger movably guided by said driver,shock absorbing spring means for normally holding said plungerdepressed, power spring means independent of said shock absorbing springmeans for normally holding said driver depressed, actuator means forraising said driver against the resistance of said power spring means,and abutment means within said cover and above said rail to receive theimpact of said plunger on the release of said power spring means and onthe downward stroke of said driver for compressing said shock absorbingspring means.

2. In combination, a magazine, a rail within the magazine for supportingstaples, a swingable cover for closing said magazine and having sidesremovably telescoping with said magazine to prevent upward displacementof said staples, a movable driver guided by said cover, a movable handlecarried by said cover, a plunger movably guided by said driver, powermeans for normally holding said driver depressed, shock absorbing meansfor normally holding said plunger depressed, means operativelyassociated with said handle for raising said driver against theresistance of said power means, abutment means associated with saidcover to receive the impact of said plunger on the release of said powermeans and on the retractive stroke of said driver for compressing saidshock absorbing means, and disconnectable locking means for holding saidcover closed.

3. In combination, a magazine, a rail within the magazine for supportingstaples, a swingable cover for closing said magazine and having a sheathand case secured to said sheath, a movable staple ejecting driver guidedby said sheath, a movable handle pivotally carried by said cover, aplunger movably guided by said driver, power means for normally holdingsaid driver depressed, shock absorbing means for normally holding saidplunger depressed, means operatively associated with said handle forraising said driver against the resistance of said power means, abutmentmeans sustained by said sheath to receive the impact of said plunger onthe release of said power means on the retractive stroke of said driverfor operating said shock absorbing means, and a laminated mass carriedby said sheath and in alinement with and above said driver to partiallyneutralize the recoil of said magazine.

4. In combination, a-magazine, a rail within the magazine for supportingstaples, a swingable cover for closing said magazine and comprising afront sheath and a rearwardly disposed case having sides removablytelescoping with the sides of said magazine to prevent upwarddisplacement of said staples, a movable staple ejecting driver guided bysaid sheath and case and having a recess defining a shoulder, a movablehandle carried by said cover, a plunger movably guided by said driver,power means for normally holding said driver depressed, shock absorbingmeans for normally holding said plunger depressed, a spring controlledpawl pivoted to said handle and coacting with said shoulder to raisesaid driver against the resistance of said power means, abutment meanssustained transversely of said sheath to receive the impact of saidplunger on the release of said power means on the retractive stroke ofsaid driver for operating said shock absorbing means, disconnectablelocking means for holding said cover closed against said magazine, andstabilizing means secured to said sheath above said driver.

5. In combination, a magazine, a rail within the magazine for supportingstaples, a staple follower slidably guided by said rail, a swingablecover for closing said magazine and having a front sheath and arearwardly disposed case having sides removably telescoping with thesides of said magazine to prevent upward displacement of said staples, amovable staple ejecting driver guided by said sheath and case and havinga recess defining a shoulder, a movable handle carried by said cover, aplunger movaby guided by said driver, power means for normally holdingsaid driver depressed, shock absorbing means of relatively greaterstiffness than said power means for normally holding said plungerdepressed, a spring controlled pawl pivoted to said handle and coactingwith said shoulder to raise said driver against the resistance of saidpower means, abutment means sustained transversely of said sheath toreceive the impact of said plunger on the release of said power means onthe retractive stroke of said driver for operating said shock absorbingmeans, disconnect able latch means for holding said cover closed againstsaid magazine, spring means common to said follower and latch means forurging said follower forwardly upon closing of said cover and for urgingsaid follower rearwardly upon openin of said magazine and for yi ldin ySustaining the locked relation of said latch and magazine, and alaminated stabilizing body secured to said sheath above said driver.

6. A shock absorbing device for a stapling machine comprising a sheath,a case secured to said sheath, a staple ejecting driver movably guidedby said sheath and case, an anvil fixed to said sheath, a plungermovably guided by said driver, spring power means retained by saiddriver, and shock absorbing spring means of relatively greater stifinessthan said spring power means acting on said plunger and retained withinsaid driver.

7. The shock absorbing device according to claim 6 wherein a commonabutment for said spring power means and said shock absorbing means isanchored to said driver.

8. In combination, a slidable driver, a stabilizer coacting with saiddriver, the stabilizer having a plurality of plates disposed injuxtaposition, means fixedly securing said plates together, and meanssustaining said plates in alinement with and above said driver.

9. In combination, a slidable driver, a stabilizer coacting with saiddriver, the stabilizer having a plurality of plates disposed injuxtaposition and including depending lugs, and means for positioningsaid lugs to sustain said plates in alinement with and above saiddriver.

cover to receive the impact of said plunger on the release of said powerspring means and on the retractive stroke of said driver for compressingsaid shock absorbing means, and disconnectable locking means for holdingsaid cover closed.

13. In combination, a magazine, a rail Within the magazine forsupporting staples, a cover hinged to said magazine for rendering saidrail accessible or inaccessible and having sides removably telescopingwith said magazine, a movable driver slidably guided by said cover, amovable handle carried by said cover, a plunger slidably guided by saiddriver, power means for normally holding said driver depressed, shockabsorbing means for normally holding said plunger depressed, meansoperatively associated with said handle for raising said driver againstthe resistance of said power means, abutment means carried by said coverto receive the impact of said plunger on the release of said power meansand on the retractive stroke of said driver for compressing said shockabsorbing means, and disconsheath, a magazine containing staples, adriver 10. In combination, a stabilizer having a plurality of platesdisposed in juxtaposition, slidable staple driving means, and springmeans interposed between said plates and said driving means.

11. In combination, a magazine, a rail within the magazine forsupporting staples, a cover closing said magazine, a movable driverslidably guided by said cover and comprising a bottom wall, amovablehandle carried by said cover, a plunger having an enlarged headadapted to be seated on said wall and including a depending shankslidably guided in said wall and projecting therefrom, power means fornormally holding said driver depressed, shock absorbing means fornormally holding said head against said wall, means operativelyassociated with said handle for raising said driver against theresistance of said power means, and abutment means below said driver andcarried by said cover to receive the impact of said shank to raise saidhead from said wall on the release of said power means and on theretractive stroke of said driver for operating said shock absorbingmeans.

12. In combination, a magazine, a rail within the magazine forsupporting staples, a cover hinged to and for opening and closing saidmagazine and having sides removably telescoping with said magazine toprevent upward displacement of said staples, a movable driver guided bysaid cover, a movable handle carried by said cover, a plunger movablyguided by said driver, power spring means for normally holding saiddriver depressed, shock absorbing spring means for normally holding saidplunger depressed, means operatively associated with. said handle forraising said driver against the resistance of said power means, abutmentmeans carried by said for ejecting said staples and slidably guided inand by said sheath and body, alined and interrupted elastic springs ofdifferent strengths coaxially disposed in said driver and arrangedbetween the latter and said body, the body being of greater weight thansaid driver, said frame having means for positioning said body in andrelative to said sheath and above said driver, and means fastening saidbody to said sheath.

15. A shock absorbing device for a stapling machine comprising a sheath,a case straddled by and secured to said sheath, a staple ejecting drivermovably guided by said sheath and case, an anvil fixed to said sheath, aplunger slidably guided by said driver and having a shank projectingtherefrom for coacting with said anvil, spring power means retained bysaid driver, and shock absorbing means of relatively greater stifinessthan said spring power means and acting on said plunger and retainedwithin said driver for resisting displacement of said plunger relativeto said driver.

16. A shock absorbing device for a stapling machine comprising a cover,a staple ejecting driver movably guided by and within said cover, ananvil fixed to said cover below said driver, a plunger slidably guidedby said driver and having a shank projecting therefrom, spring powermeans retained by said driver, and shock absorbing spring means ofrelatively greater stifiness than said spring power means acting on saidplunger and retained within said driver, said shank on the drivingstroke of said driver adapted to impact said anvil against theresistance of said shock absorbing means.

17. In a stapling machine, a housing, a staple ejecting driver slidablyguided in said housing and including a bore, said driver characterizinga hollow member including a bottom wall having an opening, a plungerhaving a head seated on said wall and embodying a shank movably guidedin said opening and projecting downwardly beyond said wall, an abutmentcarried by said driver and traversing said bore, a power spring in saidbore and abutting said housing and abutment, and a shock absorbingspring in said bore and interposed between said abutment and head fornormally holding the latter yieldingly against said seat.

18. In a stapling machine, a housing, a staple ejecting driver slidablyguided in said housing and including a bore, said driver characterizinga hollow member including a bottom wall having an opening communicatingwith said bore, a plunger having a head seated on said wall andembodying a shank movably guided in said opening and projectingdownwardly beyond said wall, an abutment fixedly carried by said driverand traversing said bore, a power spring in said bore and abutting saidhousing and abutment, a shock absorbing spring in said bore andinterposed between said abutment and head for normally holdingthe latteragainst said seat, and a blade carried by said driver.

19. In a stapling machine, a housing, a staple ejecting driver slidablyguided in said housing and including a bore, said driver characterizinga hollow member including a bottom wall having an opening, a plungerhaving a. head adapted to be seated on said wall and embodying a shankmovably guided in said opening and projecting downwardly beyond saidwall, an abutment carried by said driver and traversing said here, apower spring in said bore and abutting said housing and abutment, ashock absorbing spring in said bore and interposed between said abutmentand head for normally holding the latter against said seat, and a bladecarried by said driver, said housing having a laminated body above saiddriver and having means retaining one end of said power spring.

20. In a stapling machine, a housing, a staple ejecting driver slidablyguided in said housing and including a bore, said driver characterizinga hollow member including a bottom wall having an opening, a plungerhaving a head seated on said wall and embodying a shank movably g'uidedin said opening and projecting downwardly beyond said wall, an abutmentcarried by said driver and traversing said bore, a power spring in saidbore and abutting said housing and abutment, a shock absorbing spring insaid bore and interposed between said abutment and head for normallyholding the latter against said seat, a blade carried by said driver,and an anvil secured to said housing and positioned below said shank andadapted to be impacted by the latter to elevate said head above saidwall and against the resistance of said shock absorbing spring.

S'I'EPHEN A. CROSBY.

